MAC THE NUT

T here are many types of nut trees that can be grown in SA: walnut, macadamia, almond and pecan, to name a few. Some require more space than others but are well worth planting for their incredible bounties. Macadamia trees are evergreen and make quite a statement in the garden. They can grow up to 15m tall and are spectacular in flower. The tree should be planted in a large hole, about 1m deep and 1m wide, in full sun. It is essentially a tropical tree and won’t survive in areas that have long periods of frost.

Fill the hole with well-rotted compost and place a long pipe at an angle in the hole that will remain above the soil level once the tree is planted. When watering, the hosepipe can be fitted into the pipe to water the roots more efficiently. Water the tree twice a week in summer and once a week in winter.

The macadamia nut is definitely one to include in your daily diet as it is rich in antioxidants and has high levels of vitamin E. The oil is great for cooking as it can be heated to high temperatures without changing its chemical composition and has a very low level of polyunsaturated fats. If you do buy the ready-shelled nuts, store them in the fridge as this will keep them fresh for longer.

For a delicious snack, wrap the nuts in a tea towel and bash with a hammer to remove the shells. Toss the nuts into a frying pan with olive oil, non-iodised sea salt and a little cayenne pepper to toast lightly. Serve warm accompanied with a glass of your favourite tipple. The shells make good mulch for the garden so save them and throw them into your beds to protect the soil.

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